Welcome to the March 2018 eNews
We have just become aware that some people did not receive the March eNews - apologies for the delay.
Upcoming WayAhead Workplaces Member Meetings
The next quarterly meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Sydney will be on Thursday 5th April from 9:30am to 12:30pm. It will be hosted by Ernst & Young, Ernst & Young Centre, 200 George Street NSW 2000 Sydney.
Guest Speakers include:
- Sarah Hunstead, Founding Director, CPR Kids, “Children's Illnesses: Impacting the Workplace?"
- Felicity Huntington, Manager, Anti-Discrimination Board Workplace Training Team, Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW discuss their resources and on-site training programs to show organisations how to develop an inclusive, diverse and healthy organisational culture.
The next meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Brisbane will be on Tuesday 17th April from 10:00am to 1:00pm. It will be hosted by Clayton Utz, Level 28 Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD CBD.
Guest Speakers include:
- Vicki Bohan, National Policy & Programs Manager, People & Development, Clayton Utz, “A Case Study of Clayton Utz Workplace Health and Wellbeing Journey”
- Nicole Hughes, Principal Advisor, Leadership and Culture Strategy Unit, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, “A Walk Through of the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Toolkit”
You must RSVP if you want to attend these meetings via workplaces@wayahead.org.au or 02 9339 6008.
New on https://workplaces.wayahead.org.au/
Our website is getting a face-lift, with new sections including a "Members' Spotlight" and a revamped News section to promote some of the different pieces of work we have been involved in over the last year or two, both launching next Thursday 5th April! The 2018 Conference and Events Calendars are continually being updated as we are advised of more noteworthy dates to share with you. We have also added new and diverse material to our resources section, in particular reports & research, tools and websites for your interest. Just log in using your member username and password from the email we sent you. If you can't find that, just contact me at workplaces@wayahead.org.au
Annual Members Survey 2017
Thank you to those that completed our member survey. We will be providing a summary of it in our April meetings. Your feedback on this evaluation is very important to us as we use it when we create the strategic plan for WayAhead Workplaces each year.
Sector Spotlight - Awards, Webinars, Workshops and Conferences
We are taking expressions of interest from our members or people interested in joining our network, to sign up to two conferences we are partnering with this year:
Happiness & Its Causes Conference, 25th - 26th June 2018, Sydney - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces Member
Happiness & Its Causes is the world's largest conference on happiness and wellbeing, exploring the many and varied causes for a happy and fulfilling life. The forum presents the world’s brightest minds in psychology, science, education, business, religion and the arts over an unforgettable two days. If you want to attend please contact Sharon at workplaces@wayahead.org.au
The 3rd Annual Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, 22nd - 23rd May 2018, Sydney - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces Member
Back by popular demand after two consecutive years, with fresh perspectives from over 30 speakers, 10 brand new case studies, interactive roundtables, panel discussions and key notes - this event offers unmissable insight into how you can improve mental health programs and minimise psychological injury across all levels of your organisation. Attend this event and learn from leading organisations as they discuss key risk factors and implementation strategies for a healthier and more productive workforce. If you want to attend please contact Sharon at workplaces@wayahead.org.au
Safe Work Australia Work Health and Safety Consultation
How are the model work health and safety (WHS) laws working in practice? Are they achieving the objectives stated in the model WHS Act and have they resulted in unintended consequences? We would like to hear your views and experiences. Individuals of any role, from any industry or business size, are invited to join the discussion, make a written submission and follow the latest news.
Resource Spotlight
Mental Health Month 2018
Our organisation WayAhead - Mental Health Association NSW has developed and co-ordinated the NSW Mental Health Month campaigns for over 30 years. Following the huge response and fantastic community events and feedback from last year, Mental Health Month 2018 will be keeping the theme from last year - Share the Journey.
The focus of this theme is our journey of resilience through social connection: Exploring the importance of social connection and interaction in our mental health journey to further develop or gain resilience.
Don't forget to sign up for our free resources each year when the campaign roles around and utilise our Ten Tips to Stress Less resource.
12 Ways to Master Your Calendar and Manage Your Time for Maximum Results
Work more productively and stress less over time with these practical time management tips.
Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counsellors: Who to See for Your Mental Health Issues
Nearly half of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our lives. And all of us will go through periods of stress, sadness, grief and conflict. Do you know who to see?
Health and Wellbeing at Work
Check out this great website with lots of tips and tools to use, brought to us by our wonderful members in Queensland.
Working Mindful: 10 Practical Tips for Keeping Mindful Throughout a Busy Working Day
Feeling anxious, stressed or over-committed? Check out these few simple things you can do to bring a sense of calm and focus into your regular workdays.
We Are In This Together: Supporting a Colleague Returning to Work After Taking Time Out With a Mental Health Problem
You can’t fix anyone else’s problem for them but there are a few simple things you can do to help ease a colleague's workplace transition.
Taking Action: A Best Practice Framework for the Management of Psychological Claims in the Australian Workers’ Compensation Sector
This framework provides practical and evidence-based guidance to assist workers’ compensation insurers and claims managers to better support workers experiencing psychological illness or who are at risk of developing one.
Manager's Guide to Creating a Disability Inclusive Workplace
The guide helps managers and supervisors effectively support employees with disability throughout the entire employment cycle; from initial recruitment to leaving employment. It also includes a helpful quick self-assessment for your organisation.
BetterEvaluation Website
BetterEvaluation is an international collaboration to improve evaluation practice and theory by sharing and generating information about options (methods or processes) and approaches.
Safe Work Australia: Virtual Seminar Series
Safe Work Australia regularly broadcasts free seminars that showcase the latest thinking, research, developments and best practice in work health and safety.
The Glove Box Guide to Mental Health: Volume 6
A wonderful resource for rural and remote communities produced by The Land and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program in 2017.
Research Spotlight
SuperFriend 2017 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace Report
A recent report from SuperFriend suggests Australian workplaces are just over halfway to optimal health and wellbeing, achieving an index score of 55 out of 100. A breakdown of the report emphasises the importance of leadership in the promotion of mental health and wellbeing, highlighting the direct relationship between the behaviours of managers and senior leaders and the success and effectiveness of teams and individuals. A practical application of the findings details multiple strategies that all Australian employers can learn from and apply to their workplace.
Does Working More Hours Lead to a Healthier Economy?
Turning data from The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and The International Monetary Fund into info-graphics, this article unpacks the relationship between hours worked and economic value. You may be surprised to learn that for the most part, the relationship is inverse, with the top five hardest working countries in terms of hours worked per week (Mexico, Costa Rica, South Korea, Greece, Chile), ranking among the lowest in productivity per hour worked.
World Happiness Report 2018
Already a landmark survey of the state of global happiness, this year's World Happiness Report also ranked 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants. For Ranking of Happiness 2015-2017, Finland, Norway and Denmark took out the top scores, with Australia ranking tenth of 156 countries (see Figure 2.2, page 23).
Global Happiness Policy Report 2018
Complementing the World Happiness Report above is a report by the Global Happiness Council, a new global network of leading academic specialists in happiness and key practitioners from a range of areas. According to this year's report, one of the major causes of unhappiness world-wide is mental illness, and yet the net cost of treatment is negative! Some particular chapters of interest may be Mental Illness Destroys Happiness and is Costless to Treat (page 29), Work and Well-being: A global perspective (page 77), and Countries' Experiences with Well-being and Happiness Metrics (page 203).
The Five Keys to a Successful Google Team
Contrary to their initial assumptions, a famous study by Google staff found that who is on a team matters less than how the team members interact, structure their work and view their contributions. This article details the five key dynamics that set successful teams apart from other teams at Google, as well as tips on how to improve on these dynamics if you're not on a high-performing team.
A Study about Chronic Illness in Senior Leadership
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and are working in a senior leadership position, the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne are looking for you! Take part in this 20 minute anonymous online survey.
Safe Work Australia Infographics
These infographics look at workplace mental health and workplace bullying and violence, to help us focus on how to reduce these statistics.
Articles of Interest
Top Cop Graham Ashton Returns From Sick Leave
Some of you may remember this story from the end of last year. We need more examples like this; a leader who is walking his talk.
5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Changing Your Routine
Before you think about drastically changing your diet, or setting your alarm two hours earlier than you normally wake up, it’s worth asking yourself these five questions.
March 31: International Quit Your Crappy Job Day
Being unhappy at work can destroy your career, your health, your family and your private life. Learn more about quitting as an option.
Finding the Cure for Mondayitis
We've all experienced Mondayitis; that feeling of weariness, sadness, apathy and general distress before starting the work week. The team at Southern Cross Health Society New Zealand share ideas on how to make Mondays manageable.
Couch Workout
You gotta' couch, you gotta' gym! This is a work-out we can commit to!
The Inappropriate Corporation Team
A humorous look at workplace culture and what not to do!
Thank you
A big thank you to our members and eNews subscribers. We have appreciated your support and feedback about the program. Each year we endeavour to improve and stay relevant for you. All we ask in return is for you to tell other people about us so we can continue to help support workplaces. Your word of mouth feedback is worth its weight in gold.
